Unsecure chicken perches

[Sarahsausage]

I feel terrible, I had let the girls out to do some free-ranging, (Hilda and Gwen are newbies so living separately at the mo but free-ranging with Betty and Gladys), went back inside and about half an hour later heard some squabbling so went out and found Hilda with a limp! I feel awful, I should have stayed out with them! I've checked her foot and can't see any cuts or blood so I can only assume she's knocked it or maybe sprained it? She can walk on it (limping though) and holds it up when she's standing. Shall I keep an eye on her for a couple of days and if it's no better go to the vets? Poor girlie I can't imagine anything is broken as they've only been tootling round the garden, what a horrible Mummy!

[Redwing]

Confine her so it heals, a cat box is ideal

[Plum]

Yes I would too but also just check under her foot and between her toes for anything and feel her legs for heat and swelling. As you say with the hard ground at the moment they can be injured.

[Sarahsausage]

Hilda wasn't limping so much by the time she went to bed so I'm hoping it's just a minor injury, I'll check her in the morning, thanks chaps

[Sarahsausage]

Hilda is walking much better today, she still holds her foot up occasionally and I've noticed her smaller toe isn't bending when the others are curled up, does this sound like a break? I can't imagine how you would splint a chicken toe!

[Plum]

I'd get the vet to check it in case of that or something else. Good news she's going the right way though